Devices and methods for manipulating a catheter shaft

ABSTRACT

A catheter for performing a procedure at a treatment site in the lumen of a blood vessel. The catheter includes an elongate tubular shaft having a proximal bend, a distal bend and a hinge element. A distal portion of the shaft includes a window extending through the sidewall of the shaft between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft. A working element is disposed within the lumen of the elongate tubular shaft and is configured for performing the procedure through the window at the treatment site. The bends and hinge element are configured to urge the window against a wall of the vessel at the treatment site.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority from Provisional Application No. 61/122,601 filed on Dec. 15, 2008 and from Provisional Application No. 61/104,836 filed on Oct. 13, 2008. The complete disclosure of each of those Provisional Applications is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Atherectomy catheters are used to remove material from a blood vessel to open the lumen of the blood vessel and improve blood flow through the vessel.

Atherectomy catheters generally have cutters positioned at or near the distal end of the catheter. Some atherectomy catheters are designed to cut along only one portion of their distal circumference. Such ‘directional atherectomy’ catheters must be manipulated such that the cutter is positioned adjacent to the material to be cut. Such manipulation can involve urging the cutter against one side of a blood vessel so that material can be cut, and can involve rotating the proximal region of the catheter shaft so as cause rotation of the distal region of the catheter and thereby position the distally located directional cutter adjacent to material to be cut.

The present invention is directed to devices and methods for manipulating and urging a cutting element of an atherectomy catheter such that the cutter is positioned adjacent to the material to be cut.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a manipulator which is used with an atherectomy catheter to rotate, translate, or both rotate and translate the catheter. The atherectomy catheter may have a cutting element that is able to extend through a window to cut material of interest. The manipulator can be actuated using one hand only.

In another aspect of the invention, an atherectomy catheter is provided with a pre-formed distal region. The pre-formed distal region urges the atherectomy catheter cutter into forcible contact with the inner wall of a vessel. When the cutting element encounters tissue, forces that tend to deflect the cutting element away from the tissue are resisted by the pre-formed distal region of the catheter.

In one aspect the invention is a catheter for performing a procedure at a treatment site in the lumen of a blood vessel, the blood vessel having a diameter D at the treatment site. The catheter comprises an elongate tubular shaft having distal and proximal ends and a sidewall defining a lumen, the elongate tubular shaft having a proximal bend, a distal bend and a hinge element, the proximal bend defining a first angle greater than zero, the distal bend defining a second angle greater than the first angle, the hinge element being spaced proximally of the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and distally of the distal bend, the distal bend being positioned between the proximal bend and the hinge element, a distal portion of the elongate tubular shaft extending between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and a mid portion of the elongate tubular shaft extending between the hinge element and the proximal bend, the distal portion including a window extending through the sidewall between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft. The catheter further includes a working element disposed within the lumen of the elongate tubular shaft, the working element configured for performing the procedure through the window at the treatment site, the first and second angles being selected to form a maximum excursion of the elongate tubular shaft between the proximal bend and the hinge element greater than diameter D such that the window is urged against a wall of the vessel at the treatment site. The proximal and distal bends may be configured to lie within a first plane and the hinge element may configured to permit bending of the distal portion with respect to the mid portion only in the first plane. The first and second angles may selected to urge the window against the wall of the vessel at a force in the range of about 0.05 to 0.5 pounds. The first angle may be in the range of about 90° to 150° and the second angle may be in the range of about 100° to 180°. A length from the proximal bend to the distal bend may be greater that a length from the distal bend to the hinged element. A length between the proximal and distal bends may be in the range of about 0.5 to 2.0 inches and a length between the distal bend and the hinge element may be in the range of about 0.375 to 0.625 inches. The maximum excursion may be in the range of about 3 to 40 mm.

In another aspect the invention is a catheter for performing a procedure at a treatment site in the lumen of a blood vessel. The catheter includes an elongate tubular shaft having distal and proximal ends and a sidewall defining a lumen, the elongate tubular shaft having a curved distal portion with a continuously decreasing radius of curvature, the continuously decreasing radius of curvature being oriented in a first plane from a proximal end of the distal portion to the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft, the distal portion including a hinge element spaced proximally of the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft, the hinge element dividing the distal portion into a distal segment between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and a proximal segment between the hinge element and the proximal end of the distal portion, the hinge element being configured to permit the distal segment to bend with respect to the proximal segment only in the first plane, the distal segment including a window extending through the sidewall between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft. The catheter further includes a working element disposed within the lumen of the elongate tubular shaft, the working element configured for performing the procedure through the window at the treatment site, the continuously decreasing radius of curvature being selected to urge the window against a wall of the vessel at the treatment site during use. The curved distal portion may form a continuous curve in the range of about 90° to 720°. A maximum curve diameter of the curved distal portion may be in the range of about 3 mm to 50 mm.

In a further aspect the invention is a method of performing a procedure at a treatment site in the lumen of a blood vessel. The method comprises providing an elongate tubular shaft having distal and proximal ends and a sidewall defining a lumen, the elongate tubular shaft having a proximal bend, a distal bend and a hinge element, the proximal bend defining a first angle greater than zero, the distal bend defining a second angle greater than the first angle, the proximal and distal bends being oriented in a first direction, the hinge element being spaced proximally of the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and distally of the distal bend, the distal bend being positioned between the proximal bend and the hinge element, a distal portion of the elongate tubular shaft extending between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and a mid portion of the elongate tubular shaft extending between the hinge element and the proximal bend, the distal portion including a window extending through the sidewall between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft The method further includes advancing the elongate tubular shaft through the lumen of the vessel to the treatment site; orienting the elongate tubular shaft in a position where the proximal and distal bends cause the distal portion of the elongate tubular shaft to bend with respect to the mid portion of the elongate tubular shaft at the hinge element in a second direction opposite the first direction to urge the window against a wall of the vessel in a desired location at the treatment site; and performing a procedure through the window at the treatment site with a working element disposed within the lumen of the elongate tubular shaft while the window is urged against the wall of the vessel. The hinge element may be configured to permit bending of the distal portion with respect to the mid portion only in the first and second directions.

In a further aspect the invention is a method of performing a procedure at a treatment site in the lumen of a blood vessel comprising providing an elongate tubular shaft having distal and proximal ends and a sidewall defining a lumen, the elongate tubular shaft having a curved distal portion with a continuously decreasing radius of curvature, the continuously decreasing radius of curvature being oriented in a first direction from a proximal end of the distal portion to the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft, the distal portion including a hinge element spaced proximally of the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft, the hinge element dividing the distal portion into a distal segment between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and a proximal segment between the hinge element and the proximal end of the distal portion, the hinge element being configured to permit the distal segment to bend with respect to the proximal segment only in the first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, the distal segment including a window extending through the sidewall between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft. The method further includes advancing the elongate tubular shaft through the lumen of the vessel to the treatment site; orienting the elongate tubular shaft in a position where the continuously decreasing radius of curvature of the curved distal portion causes the distal segment to bend with respect to the proximal segment at the hinge element in the second direction to urge the window against a wall of the vessel in a desired location at the treatment site; and performing a procedure through the window at the treatment site with a working element disposed within the lumen of the elongate tubular shaft while the window is urged against the wall of the vessel.

In another aspect the invention is a device for manipulating the shaft of a catheter comprising a body portion having a lumen sized to receive the shaft of the catheter, and a shaft engaging member having first and second shaft engaging surfaces enclosed within the body portion, the shaft engaging member having a locked position in which the first and second shaft engaging surfaces are configured to engage the shaft to lock the body on the shaft and an unlocked position in which the body is free to rotate and axially translate over the elongate tubular shaft. The shaft engaging surfaces may be biased in either the locked or the unlocked position.

In a further aspect the invention is a catheter for accessing a site on the wall of a blood vessel. The catheter includes an elongate tubular shaft having distal and proximal ends and a sidewall defining a lumen, the elongate tubular shaft having a first bend, a second bend spaced a predetermined distance distally of the first bend and a window extending through the sidewall, the window being positioned distally of the second bend and proximally of the distal end of the elongate tubular member, the first bend defining a first angle greater than zero, the second bend defining a second angle greater than the first angle, the first and second angles and the predetermined distance being selected to urge the window against the site on the wall of the blood vessel during use. The elongate tubular shaft may further include a hinge element spaced proximally of the window and distally of the second bend. Further, the catheter may include a working element disposed within the lumen of the elongate tubular shaft, the working element configured for performing a procedure through the window at the site on the wall of the blood vessel. The elongate tubular shaft may include a distal portion between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and the hinge element may be configured as a pivot point about which the distal portion bends. Further, the distal portion may have a longitudinal axis and the hinge element may be configured such that when the window is urged against the site on the wall of the blood vessel during use the distal portion is positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the distal portion is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the blood vessel.

In another aspect the invention is a catheter for performing a procedure at a treatment site in the lumen of a blood vessel comprising an elongate tubular shaft having distal and proximal ends and a sidewall defining a lumen, the elongate tubular shaft having a proximal bend, a distal bend and a hinge element, the proximal bend defining a first angle greater than zero, the distal bend defining a second angle greater than the first angle, the hinge element being spaced proximally of the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and distally of the distal bend, the distal bend being positioned between the proximal bend and the hinge element, a distal portion of the elongate tubular shaft extending between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and a mid portion of the elongate tubular shaft extending between the hinge element and the proximal bend, the distal portion including a window extending through the sidewall between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft, the proximal bend, distal bend and hinge element being configured to urge the window against a wall of the vessel at the treatment site. The catheter may include a working element disposed within the lumen of the elongate tubular shaft, the working element configured for performing the procedure through the window at the treatment site when the window is urged against the wall of the blood vessel during use.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, drawings and claims. The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic plan view of one embodiment of a shaft manipulator in accordance with principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates an isometric view of the shaft manipulator illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 1C and 1D illustrate cross sectional views along line A-A of the shaft manipulator illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic plan view of another embodiment of a shaft manipulator in accordance with principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates an isometric view of the shaft manipulator illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 2C and 2D illustrate cross sectional views along line A-A of the shaft manipulator illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate schematic plan views of another embodiment of a shaft manipulator in accordance with principles of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate schematic plan views of yet another embodiment of a catheter in accordance with principles of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate schematic plan views of a further embodiment of a catheter in accordance with principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 1A to 1D, the present invention is directed to a device for manipulating a catheter shaft. The invention is described in connection with an atherectomy catheter but may be used with any other catheter.

The atherectomy catheter 20 has a working element 22 such as a cutting element. The cutting element may extend through a window 24 in a shaft 26 of the catheter. As can be appreciated, the working element can be any other element such as an RF element, a visualization element or an implant delivery element. Typically catheter 20 may have a working diameter of 3 Fr to 7 Fr and have a working length of 60 cm to 180 cm.

The orientation of the working element 22 may be manipulated by rotating the shaft 26 so that a handle 28 can remain stationary while the shaft is rotated. The shaft may be rotatable in increments or may be adjustable to any angular orientation. In some embodiments the shaft is coupled to the handle in a manner which permits rotation of the shaft relative to the handle upon application of a modest torque to the shaft. In other embodiments the shaft is rotationally fixed to the handle in a manner which does not permit rotation of the shaft relative to the handle upon application of a modest torque to the shaft.

Shaft manipulator 10 is rotatably and slidably coupled to shaft 26 and configured for one-handed use. Manipulator 10 is comprised of body 12 having lumen 11, buttons 14, springs 16 and pivot pins 18. Buttons 14 are further comprised of arms 14 c having holes therein for pivot pins to slidably fit through. Body 12 and buttons 14 may be made from polycarbonate, nylon, or other materials and may be injection molded or otherwise fabricated into the desired configuration. Body 12 may be molded in two halves and the halves bonded together by ultrasound, snap fit, adhesives, or other means following assembly of buttons, pivot pins and springs into body. In one embodiment two halves of body 12 are delineated by line A-A in FIG. 1B. Faces 14 a, 14 b of button 14 may be textured for increased friction against shaft 26 or the fingers of an operator or both. Springs 16 and pivot pins 18 may be comprised of metal such as steel, spring steel, or other metals, or engineering polymer such as polyester, liquid crystal polymer, nylon, or other polymers.

Manipulator 10 is normally in an unlocked (FIG. 1C) position with springs 16 extended so as to force faces 14 a of buttons 14 away from shaft 26. The manipulator is normally unlocked to permit the user to easily move manipulator 10 to any desired position along the shaft. For example, the user may move the manipulator with one hand to an exposed, distal portion of the shaft such as a portion of the shaft near an incision or near an introducer sheath while the other hand holds the handle 28. Once the manipulator is positioned at the desired location along the shaft, rotation or translation (or both) of shaft 26 may be accomplished by pressing faces 14 b of buttons 14 towards each other (FIG. 1D) with one hand of the user followed by rotation or translation (or both) of manipulator 10 with the same hand.

Use of the catheter and manipulator of FIGS. 1A to 1D is now described. Catheter 20 is introduced into the patient in any known manner. When the user desires to manipulate the catheter, the user grasps manipulator 10 and moves it to an appropriate location for manipulating the catheter. The user then locks the manipulator onto the shaft by pressing on faces 14 b so as to overcome force of springs 16 and move faces 14 a into frictional contact with shaft 26. The manipulator is then rotated, translated, or both to effect rotation, translation, or both of cutter 22 into contact with tissue such as atheroma. In some embodiments cutter 22 is extended outside of window 24 in a radial direction and catheter 20 is advanced through the vessel with cutter 22 extended to cut atheroma. In some embodiments atheroma is directed into interior of catheter by cutter 22.

The shaft manipulator has been described as being in a normally unlocked position, however, in other embodiments the shaft manipulator may be in a normally locked position so that the user exerts pressure on the jaws to open the jaws rather than close the jaws. FIGS. 2A to 2D illustrate shaft manipulator 30 which is configured to be in a normally locked position. Manipulator 30 is rotatably and slidably coupled to shaft 26 and configured for one-handed use. Manipulator 30 is comprised of body 32 having lumen 31, arms 34, springs 36 and pivot pins 38. Arms 34 have holes therein for pivot pins to slidably fit through, have faces 34 a and have ends 34 b which may be enlarged. Body 32, arms 34, faces 34 a, springs 36 and pivot pins 38 may be made from materials, fabricated, and assembled substantially as described above for body 12, buttons 14, faces 14 a, springs 16 and pivot pins 38 respectively.

Manipulator 30 is normally in a locked (FIG. 2C) position with springs 36 extended so as to force faces 34 a of arms 34 into frictional contact with shaft 26. The manipulator is normally locked to permit the user to easily rotate or translate (or both) shaft 26. The user may move manipulator 30 with one hand to any desired position along shaft 26 by pressing arms 34 b towards each other so as to force faces 34 a out of contact with shaft 26 (FIG. 2D) followed by rotation or translation (or both) of manipulator 30 on shaft 26. For example, the user may move the manipulator to an exposed, distal portion of the shaft such as a portion of the shaft near an incision or near an introducer sheath. An advantage of using the manipulator is that it may be easily positioned along the shaft and manipulated with one hand while the other hand holds the handle 28.

Use of the catheter and manipulator of FIGS. 2A to 2D is now described. Catheter 20 is introduced into the patient in any known manner. When the user desires to manipulate the catheter, the user grasps manipulator 30 and unlocks the manipulator from the shaft by pressing on ends 34 b so as to move faces 34 a away from frictional contact with shaft 26. The user then moves manipulator 30 to an appropriate location for manipulating the catheter. Pressure on ends 34 b is then removed so as to allow springs 36 to move faces 34 a into frictional contact with shaft 26. The manipulator is then rotated, translated, or both to effect rotation, translation, or both of cutter 22 into contact with tissue such as atheroma. In some embodiments cutter 22 is extended outside of window 24 in a radial direction and catheter 20 is advanced through the vessel with cutter 22 extended to cut atheroma. In some embodiments atheroma is directed into interior of catheter by cutter 22.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B, another catheter 40 is shown for use with a manipulator 45. Catheter 40 may be similar to catheter 20 described above but may be any other catheter with a working element, having shaft 46 similar to shaft 26 described above or another shaft, in any case with the addition of loop 42. Manipulator 45 may be comprised of manipulator 10, 30 described above or may be another manipulator. Handle 48 may be similar to handle 28 described above but may be any other handle.

Catheter 40 includes shaft 46 having a loop 42 positioned between the manipulator and the handle. Loop 42 may be formed of a flexible catheter portion which is designed to form the loop when the shaft is manipulated or may be a pre-shaped loop catheter portion, and when formed is comprised of gap 44. Shaft 46 is fixedly coupled to handle 48 so that the shaft does not rotate or translate relative to handle. When manipulator 45 is rotated or translated, loop 42 is flexible enough to permit the distal portion of the shaft to be rotated or translated by the manipulator without requiring a change in the orientation or position of the handle. During rotation or translation of shaft 46 relative to handle 48 loop 42 may become larger or smaller in diameter 47 and gap 44 may increase or decrease, or both, to accommodate rotation or translation of shaft 46 while allowing handle 48 to remain in an unchanged position.

Use of the catheter of FIGS. 3A and 3B is now described. The catheter is introduced into the patient in any known manner. When the user desires to manipulate the catheter, the user grasps the manipulator and moves it to an appropriate location for manipulating the catheter. The user then locks the manipulator onto the shaft. As the shaft is manipulated, the loop will constrict, expand, or change gap as necessary to accommodate rotation, translation, or both of the shaft while the handle position remains unchanged. In some embodiments cutter 22 is extended outside of window 24 in a radial direction and catheter 20 is advanced through the vessel with cutter 22 extended to cut atheroma. In some embodiments atheroma is directed into interior of catheter by cutter 22.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate another catheter 50 for use with a manipulator 55. A distal portion of the shaft is shaped to provide an apposition force to urge the cutting element against the vessel wall. Catheter 50 may be similar to catheter 20 described above but may be any other catheter with a working element, having shaft 56 similar to shaft 26 described above or another shaft, in any case with the addition of jog 51 j and preformed bends 51 p, 51 d. Catheter 50 is also comprised of working element 52 and window 54 which may be similar in construction, materials, and function as working element 22 and window 24 respectively. The window 54 is positioned at a radially inner position on the shaft so that the working element 52 is urged against the vessel wall when the catheter is positioned within a vessel. Jog 51 j and preformed bends 51 p, 51 d cooperate to urge working element 52 into contact with material to be cut in a vessel. Manipulator 55 may be comprised of manipulator 10, 30 described above or may be another manipulator. Use of manipulator 55 with catheter 50 is optional. Handle 58 may be similar to handle 28 described above but may be any other handle.

Catheter shaft 56 includes jog 51 j and preformed bends 51 p, 51 d. Jog 51 j is comprised of a hinge structure that allows distal portion 56 d of shaft 56 to abruptly bend in relation to mid portion 56 m of shaft 56. Catheter structures capable of jog are further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/896,741, filed Jul. 21, 2004 and published as US 2005/0177068 A1, paragraphs [0092] to [0094], [0100] to [0102], to [0107] and FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, 4A and 4B. The entire contents of US Patent Publication US 2005/0177068 are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety. In one embodiment the preformed bends are formed such that the mid portion and the portion of the catheter shaft proximal of the mid portion lie within a first plane and the hinge element is configured to permit bending of the distal portion with respect to the mid portion only in the first plane. Preformed bends 51 p, 51 d may be formed by constraining distal portion 56 d in metal molds followed by application of heat to cause catheter 56 to take the shape of the mold, or other means as are known to those of skill in the art. Preformed bend 51 p has a lesser angle 53 p than preformed bend 51 d angle 53 d. Preformed bend 51 p angles of 90 to 150 degrees are contemplated. In one embodiment preformed bend 51 p angles are 100 to 120 degrees. In other embodiments angle 53 p are 95, 105, 110, 115, 125, 130 or 140 degrees. Preformed bend 51 d angles 53 d of 100 to 180 degrees are contemplated. In one embodiment preformed bend 51 d angles are 120 to 140 degrees. In other embodiments angle 53 d is 110, 130, 150, 160, or 170 degrees. The length from preformed bend 51 p to preformed bend 51 d is generally greater than the length from preformed bend 51 d to jog 51 j. Lengths from preformed bend 51 p to preformed bend 51 d of 0.5 to 2.0 inches are contemplated. In one embodiment length from preformed bend 51 p to preformed bend 51 d is 1.00 to 1.25 inches. In other embodiments lengths from preformed bend 51 p to preformed bend 51 d are 0.75, 1.5 or 1.75 inches. Lengths from preformed bend 51 d to jog 51 j of 0.125 to 1.0 inches are contemplated. In one embodiment length from preformed bend 51 d to jog 51 e is 0.375 to 0.625 inches. In some embodiments lengths from preformed bend 51 d to jog 51 j are 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 or 0.875 inches. The combined bends 51 d, 51 p and lengths between bends and between bend and jog cause catheter 56 to have a maximum excursion 56 e from the unbent portion of catheter 56 to jog 56 j. Generally, catheters of the invention are chosen to have an excursion greater than the diameter of the vessel or conduit that catheter 50 will be used within. Excursions 56 e of 3 to 40 millimeters are contemplated. In one embodiment excursion 56 e is 5 to 8 mm. In some embodiments excursions 56 e are 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30 or 35 millimeters.

When catheter 50 is positioned inside a vessel V of diameter D less than unconstrained excursion 56 e, preformed bends 51 p and 51 d are forced to assume angles larger than their undeflected preformed angles while jog 51 j allows distalmost portion of catheter 50 to become oriented along inner wall of vessel V. This cooperation between jog 56 j and bends 51 p, 51 d forces or urges window 54 into contact with inner wall of vessel V as preformed bends attempt to restore their undeflected preformed angles. Preformed bend 51 d maintains apposition force of cutter 52 and window 54 against the inner wall of vessel V at the low end of vessel diameters. As vessel diameter increases preformed bend 51 p eventually starts to apply apposition force to the catheter tip as well. Urge forces of 0.05 to 0.5 lbs are contemplated. In one embodiment the urge force is 0.1 lbs. In some embodiments the urge force is 0.075, 0.2, 0.3 or 0.4 lbs. Working element 52, such as a cutter, can be extended through window 54 to contact material to be cut, such as atheroma. During cutting, cutting forces tending to deflect cutter away from inside surface of vessel will be resisted by the urge forces produced as described above. The distal portion of shaft 56 can be rotated, translated, or both by manipulator 55 (if used) to assure that window 54 is circumferentially oriented so as to contact the material to be cut.

Use of the catheter of FIGS. 4A and 4B is now described. A catheter 50 having excursion 56 e greater than the inside diameter of vessel V is chosen. Optionally, the catheter is introduced over a guidewire into the patient in any known manner to a location in vessel V where material is to be removed. The catheter, when introduced over a guidewire, tends to straighten somewhat and follow the guidewire to the location. Preformed bends 51 p, 51 d in cooperation with jog 51 j urge window 54 against inner wall of vessel V. In some embodiments cutter 52 is extended outside of window 54 in a radial direction and catheter 50 is advanced through the vessel with cutter 52 extended to cut atheroma. In some embodiments atheroma is directed into interior of catheter by cutter 52. Optionally, when the user desires to manipulate the catheter, the user grasps manipulator 55 and moves it to an appropriate location for manipulating the catheter. The user then locks the manipulator onto shaft 56 and rotates, translates, or both the shaft while handle 58 position remains unchanged.

FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate another catheter 60 for use with a manipulator 65. A distal portion of the shaft is shaped to provide an apposition force to urge the cutting element against the vessel wall. Catheter 60 may be similar to catheter 20 described above but may be any other catheter with a working element, having shaft 66 similar to shaft 26 described above or another shaft, in any case with the addition of jog 61 j and continuously decreasing radius curve 61. Jog 61 j may be similar in construction, materials, and function to jog 51 j. Catheter 60 is also comprised of working element 62 and window 64 which may be similar in construction, materials, and function as working element 22 and window 24 respectively. Working element 62 is positioned at a radially inward position on the shaft so that the working element 62 is urged against the vessel wall when the catheter is positioned within a vessel. Jog 61 j and continuously decreasing radius curve 61 cooperate to urge working element 62 into contact with material to be cut in a vessel. Manipulator 65 may be comprised of manipulator 10, 30 described above or may be another manipulator. Use of manipulator 65 with catheter 60 is optional. Handle 68 may be similar to handle 28 described above but may be any other handle.

Catheter shaft 66 includes jog 61 j and continuously decreasing radius curve 61. Continuously decreasing radius curve 61 may be formed by constraining distal portion 66 d of catheter shaft 66 in metal molds followed by applying heat to cause distal portion 66 d to take the shape of the mold, or other means as are known to those of skill in the art. Distal portion 66 d may curl around at least 90 degrees up to at least 720 degrees. FIG. 5A shows the shaft curling about 360 degrees and FIG. 5B shows the shaft curling about 720 degrees. In other embodiments distal portion 66 d curls around 120, 150, 180, 240, 300, 480, or 600 degrees. The maximum curve diameter 63 may vary from 3 mm to 50 mm although the maximum curve diameter may be outside this range depending upon the particular application. In one embodiment the maximum curve diameter is 10 to 12 mm. In other embodiments the maximum curve diameter is 4, 6, 8, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 40 mm.

In another embodiment, the continuously decreasing radius curve 61 may be comprised of a number of discrete preformed bends (not shown). As can be appreciated, the number of sections of decreasing radius may vary. For example, catheters having from 2 to 100 sections are contemplated. In other embodiments, the catheter may have 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 40, 60, 75, or 100 sections. In yet another embodiment, catheter has an infinite number of sections as disclosed by the continuously variable embodiment of FIGS. 5A to 5C.

The continuously decreasing radius is intended to provide a relatively uniform apposition force over a range of vessel diameters. Of course, the actual apposition force may vary considerably during use since vessel geometry and size vary considerably from patient to patient; however, the shape of the shaft tends to provide a uniform force over a range of vessel sizes.

When catheter 60 is positioned inside a vessel V of diameter D less than maximum curve diameter 63, the continuously decreasing radius curve 61 is forced to increase in diameter while jog 61 j allows distalmost portion of catheter 60 to become oriented along inner wall of vessel V. This cooperation between jog 56 j and curve 61 forces or urges window 64 into contact with inner wall of vessel V as curve 61 attempts to restore its undeformed diameter. Working element 62, such as a cutter, can be extended through window 64 to contact material to be cut, such as atheroma. During cutting, cutting forces tending to deflect cutter away from inside surface of vessel will be resisted by the urge forces produced as described above. The distal portion of shaft 66 can be rotated, translated, or both by manipulator 65 (if used) to assure that window 64 is circumferentially oriented so as to contact material to be cut.

Use of the catheter of FIGS. 5A to 5C is now described. The catheter is introduced over a guidewire into the patient in any known manner to a location where material is to be removed. The catheter, when introduced over a guidewire, tends to straighten somewhat and follow the guidewire to the location. Curve 61 in cooperation with jog 61 j urge window 64 against inner wall of vessel V. In some embodiments cutter 62 is extended outside of window 64 in a radial direction and catheter 60 is advanced through the vessel with cutter 62 extended to cut atheroma. In some embodiments atheroma is directed into interior of catheter by cutter 62. Optionally, when the user desires to manipulate the catheter, the user grasps manipulator 65 and moves it to an appropriate location for manipulating the catheter. The user then locks the manipulator onto the shaft 66 and rotates, translates, or both the shaft while handle 68 position remains unchanged.

The present invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments but may, of course, be practiced while departing from the above described illustrative embodiments. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A catheter for performing a procedure at a treatment site in the lumen of a blood vessel, the blood vessel having a diameter D at the treatment site, the catheter comprising: an elongate tubular shaft having distal and proximal ends and a sidewall defining a lumen, the elongate tubular shaft having a proximal bend, a distal bend and a hinge element, the proximal bend defining a first undeflected angle prior to insertion of the elongate tubular shaft into the lumen of the blood vessel and a first deflected angle greater than the first undeflected angle when the elongate tubular shaft is contained within the lumen of the blood vessel, the distal bend defining a second undeflected angle greater than the first undeflected angle prior to insertion of the elongate tubular shaft into the lumen of the blood vessel and a second deflected angle greater than the second undeflected angle when the elongate tubular shaft is contained within the lumen of the blood vessel, the hinge element being spaced proximally of the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and distally of the distal bend, the distal bend being positioned between the proximal bend and the hinge element, a distal portion of the elongate tubular shaft extending between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and a mid portion of the elongate tubular shaft extending between the hinge element and the proximal bend, the distal portion including a window extending through the sidewall between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft; and a working element disposed within the lumen of the elongate tubular shaft, the working element configured for performing the procedure through the window at the treatment site, the first and second undeflected angles being selected to form a maximum excursion of the elongate tubular shaft between the proximal bend and the hinge element greater than diameter D such that the window is urged against a wall of the vessel at the treatment site.
 2. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the proximal and distal bends are configured to lie within a first plane and the hinge element is configured to permit bending of the distal portion with respect to the mid portion only in the first plane.
 3. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the first and second undeflected angles are selected to urge the window against the wall of the vessel at a force in the range of 0.05 to 0.5 pounds.
 4. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the first undeflected angle is in the range of 90° to 150° and the second undeflected angle is in the range of 100° to 180°.
 5. The catheter of claim 1 wherein a length from the proximal bend to the distal bend is greater that a length from the distal bend to the hinged element.
 6. The catheter of claim 1 wherein a length between the proximal and distal bends is in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 inches.
 7. The catheter of claim 1 wherein a length between the distal bend and the hinge element is in the range of 0.375 to 0.625 inches.
 8. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the maximum excursion is in the range of 3 to 40 mm.
 9. The catheter of claim 1 further comprising a shaft manipulation member having a body defining a lumen sized to accept the elongate tubular shaft, the manipulation member further having opposed shaft engaging elements within the body which are moveable between a locked position in which the shaft engaging elements engage the elongate tubular shaft to lock the body on the elongate tubular shaft and an unlocked position in which the body is free to rotate and axially translate over the elongate tubular shaft.
 10. The catheter of claim 9 wherein the shaft engaging elements are biased in the unlocked position.
 11. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the working element is an atherectomy cutting device.
 12. A catheter for performing a procedure at a treatment site in the lumen of a blood vessel comprising: an elongate tubular shaft having distal and proximal ends and a sidewall defining a lumen, the elongate tubular shaft having a curved distal portion with a continuously decreasing radius of curvature, the continuously decreasing radius of curvature being oriented in a first plane from a proximal end of the distal portion to the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft, the distal portion including a hinge element spaced proximally of the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft, the hinge element dividing the distal portion into a distal segment between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and a proximal segment between the hinge element and the proximal end of the distal portion, the hinge element being configured to permit the distal segment to bend with respect to the proximal segment only in the first plane, the distal segment including a window extending through the sidewall between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft; and a working element disposed within the lumen of the elongate tubular shaft, the working element configured for performing the procedure through the window at the treatment site, the continuously decreasing radius of curvature being selected to urge the window against a wall of the vessel at the treatment site during use.
 13. The catheter of claim 12 wherein the curved distal portion forms a continuous curve in the range of 90° to 720°.
 14. The catheter of claim 12 wherein a maximum curve diameter of the curved distal portion is in the range of 3 mm to 50 mm.
 15. The catheter of claim 12 further comprising a shaft manipulation member having a body defining a lumen sized to accept the elongate tubular shaft, the shaft manipulation member further having opposed shaft engaging elements moveable between a locked position in which the shaft engaging elements engage the elongate tubular shaft to lock the body on the elongate tubular shaft and an unlocked position in which the body is free to rotate and axially translate over the elongate tubular shaft.
 16. The catheter of claim 15 wherein the shaft engaging elements are biased in the unlocked position.
 17. The catheter of claim 12 wherein the working element is an atherectomy cutting device.
 18. A method of performing a procedure at a treatment site in the lumen of a blood vessel comprising: providing an elongate tubular shaft having distal and proximal ends and a sidewall defining a lumen, the elongate tubular shaft having a curved distal portion with a continuously decreasing radius of curvature, the continuously decreasing radius of curvature being oriented in a first direction from a proximal end of the distal portion to the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft, the distal portion including a hinge element spaced proximally of the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft, the hinge element dividing the distal portion into a distal segment between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and a proximal segment between the hinge element and the proximal end of the distal portion, the hinge element being configured to permit the distal segment to bend with respect to the proximal segment only in the first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, the distal segment including a window extending through the sidewall between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft; advancing the elongate tubular shaft through the lumen of the vessel to the treatment site; orienting the elongate tubular shaft in a position where the continuously decreasing radius of curvature of the curved distal portion causes the distal segment to bend with respect to the proximal segment at the hinge element in the second direction to urge the window against a wall of the vessel in a desired location at the treatment site; and performing a procedure through the window at the treatment site with a working element disposed within the lumen of the elongate tubular shaft while the window is urged against the wall of the vessel.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the curved distal portion forms a continuous curve in the range of about 90° to 720°.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein a maximum curve diameter of the curved distal portion is in the range of about 3 mm to 50 mm.
 21. A catheter for accessing a site on the wall of a blood vessel comprising: an elongate tubular shaft having distal and proximal ends and a sidewall defining a lumen, the elongate tubular shaft having a first bend, a second bend spaced a predetermined distance distally of the first bend and a window extending through the sidewall, the window being positioned distally of the second bend and proximally of the distal end of the elongate tubular member, the first bend defining a first preformed angle, the second bend defining a second preformed angle greater than the first preformed angle, the shaft being sized such that during use in the blood vessel the first bend is deflected to define a first deflected angle greater than the first preformed angle and the second bend is deflected to define a second deflected angle greater than the second preformed angle, the first and second preformed angles and the predetermined distance being selected to urge the window against the site on the wall of the blood vessel during use.
 22. The catheter of claim 21 wherein the elongate tubular shaft further includes a hinge element spaced proximally of the window and distally of the second bend.
 23. The catheter of claim 22 wherein the elongate tubular shaft includes a distal portion between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and wherein the hinge element is configured as a pivot point about which the distal portion bends.
 24. The catheter of claim 23 wherein the distal portion has a longitudinal axis and wherein the hinge element is configured such that when the window is urged against the site on the wall of the blood vessel during use the distal portion is positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the distal portion is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the blood vessel.
 25. The catheter of claim 22 wherein the first and second bends are configured to lie within a first plane and the hinge element is configured to permit bending of the elongate tubular member distal of the hinge element only in the first plane.
 26. The catheter of claim 22 wherein a length from the first bend to the second bend is greater that a length from the second bend to the hinged element.
 27. The catheter of claim 22 wherein a length between the second bend and the hinge element is in the range of 0.375 to 0.625 inches.
 28. The catheter of claim 21 further comprising a working element disposed within the lumen of the elongate tubular shaft, the working element configured for performing a procedure through the window at the site on the wall of the blood vessel.
 29. The catheter of claim 28 wherein the working element is an atherectomy cutting device.
 30. The catheter of claim 21 wherein the first and second preformed angles are selected to urge the window against the wall of the vessel at a force in the range of 0.05 to 0.5 pounds.
 31. The catheter of claim 21 wherein the first angle is in the range of 90° to 150° and the second angle is in the range of 100° to 180°.
 32. The catheter of claim 21 wherein a length between the first and second bends is in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 inches.
 33. A catheter for performing a procedure at a treatment site in the lumen of a blood vessel comprising: an elongate tubular shaft having distal and proximal ends and a sidewall defining a lumen, the elongate tubular shaft having a proximal bend, a distal bend and a hinge element, the elongate tubular shaft being configured such that when unconstrained the proximal bend defines a first angle and the distal bend defines a second angle greater than the first angle, the elongate tubular shaft being further configured such that when constrained within the lumen of the blood vessel the proximal bend is deflected to define a first deflected angle greater than the first angle and the distal bend is deflected to define a second deflected angle greater than the second angle, the hinge element being spaced proximally of the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and distally of the distal bend, the distal bend being positioned between the proximal bend and the hinge element, a distal portion of the elongate tubular shaft extending between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft and a mid portion of the elongate tubular shaft extending between the hinge element and the proximal bend, the distal portion including a window extending through the sidewall between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft, the proximal bend, distal bend and hinge element being configured to urge the window against a wall of the vessel at the treatment site.
 34. The catheter of claim 33 further comprising a working element disposed within the lumen of the elongate tubular shaft, the working element configured for performing the procedure through the window at the treatment site when the window is urged against the wall of the blood vessel during use.
 35. The catheter of claim 34 wherein the working element is an atherectomy cutting device.
 36. The catheter of claim 33 wherein the proximal and distal bends are configured to lie within a first plane and the hinge element is configured to permit bending of the distal portion with respect to the mid portion only in the first plane.
 37. The catheter of claim 33 wherein the first and second angles are selected to urge the window against the wall of the vessel at a force in the range of 0.05 to 0.5 pounds.
 38. The catheter of claim 33 wherein the first angle is in the range of 90° to 150° and the second angle is in the range of 100° to 180°.
 39. The catheter of claim 33 wherein a length from the proximal bend to the distal bend is greater that a length from the distal bend to the hinged element.
 40. The catheter of claim 33 wherein a length between the proximal and distal bends is in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 inches.
 41. The catheter of claim 33 wherein a length between the distal bend and the hinge element is in the range of 0.375 to 0.625 inches. 